A Glinda the Good Witch test wand from The Wizard of Oz MGM, 1939. Comprising clear, Chaton-style rhinestones affixed to both sides of a small metal star, approximately 1 cm thick, which has been welded into the top of a tapering metal rod, which is pieced together to another metal rod featuring a small finial detail at the bottom. When filming began on The Wizard of Oz in 1938, it quickly became apparent that creative license with L. Frank Baum's novel would need to take place in order to accommodate the glorious Technicolor in which the film would be shot. Hence, Dorothy's silver shoes from Baum's book changed to a pair of sparkling ruby red sequined pumps. A similar but lesser known story relates to the magical wand held by the Good Witch, Glinda, played by Billie Burke. Initially, a Gilbert Adrian-designed wand of clear rhinestones was created but ultimately appeared bland on film. It was replaced with a wand which contained scattered colorful stones which sparkled on screen and was more in keeping with the vibrant Land of Oz (at least two of these wands were known to exist). Like the ruby slippers, the multiple wands met with interesting fates. The silver wand offered here was likely used in wardrobe test shots of Billie Burke, but the only known existing photo is one that Burke had specially made by MGM photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull after filming of The Wizard of Oz was completed. Proud of the success of the film and her role as the Good Witch, she incorporated a sketch of the photo into holiday cards which she sent to friends and family. The silver wand was then returned to MGM's storage, where it rested until it was eventually sold through the 1970 MGM property auctions to a buyer who owned it for 47 years and who ultimately sold it to the present consignor. The two known colorful screen-used wands were sold at the famous 1970 MGM auction and transported to a museum called "The Land of Oz" in North Carolina, where both wands were destroyed in a 1970s fire, making this silver version the only known wand in existence. It was recently on exhibition at a major American institution. For a more detailed history of the wand's journey from the 1970 MGM liquidation sale to the present, please contact the department. 3 x 56.50 in.
A Glinda the Good Witch test wand from The Wizard of Oz MGM, 1939. Comprising clear, Chaton-style rhinestones affixed to both sides of a small metal star, approximately 1 cm thick, which has been welded into the top of a tapering metal rod, which is pieced together to another metal rod featuring a small finial detail at the bottom. When filming began on The Wizard of Oz in 1938, it quickly became apparent that creative license with L. Frank Baum's novel would need to take place in order to accommodate the glorious Technicolor in which the film would be shot. Hence, Dorothy's silver shoes from Baum's book changed to a pair of sparkling ruby red sequined pumps. A similar but lesser known story relates to the magical wand held by the Good Witch, Glinda, played by Billie Burke. Initially, a Gilbert Adrian-designed wand of clear rhinestones was created but ultimately appeared bland on film. It was replaced with a wand which contained scattered colorful stones which sparkled on screen and was more in keeping with the vibrant Land of Oz (at least two of these wands were known to exist). Like the ruby slippers, the multiple wands met with interesting fates. The silver wand offered here was likely used in wardrobe test shots of Billie Burke, but the only known existing photo is one that Burke had specially made by MGM photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull after filming of The Wizard of Oz was completed. Proud of the success of the film and her role as the Good Witch, she incorporated a sketch of the photo into holiday cards which she sent to friends and family. The silver wand was then returned to MGM's storage, where it rested until it was eventually sold through the 1970 MGM property auctions to a buyer who owned it for 47 years and who ultimately sold it to the present consignor. The two known colorful screen-used wands were sold at the famous 1970 MGM auction and transported to a museum called "The Land of Oz" in North Carolina, where both wands were destroyed in a 1970s fire, making this silver version the only known wand in existence. It was recently on exhibition at a major American institution. For a more detailed history of the wand's journey from the 1970 MGM liquidation sale to the present, please contact the department. 3 x 56.50 in.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
